When Paul was dragged before councils and kings as Jesus had warned, he obeyed the advice given to him to use these occasions to bear witness to the Lord. How often do we miss golden opportunities to give witness because we approach situations from the purely human level of thinking? If we are willing, then every experience we have can be put to good use for the spread of the Gospel. Here Paul uses his Roman citizenship to claim the right to be tried by Ceasar. It was his only escape from the Sanhedrin, and he had already borne witness to them. All that remained for his mission was to bear witness at Rome and this he did through the soldiers who happened to be chained to him day and night! In this way his teaching penetrated the very household of Caesar himself.

What the Church needs today are disciples who will bear witness to Jesus at any cost, and become the servant of all, even to the laying down of life in martyrdom. Such a servant was found in Peter after he had stopped relying on his own strength. His disastrous denial of his Master showed him where relying on one's own strength would end. Here he humbly leans on the Master even for the assurance that he loves Him!